Moldova establishes 24/7 environmental emergency center
The Moldovan Government has approved the creation of an operational center for immediate environmental response. This initiative ensures that environmental inspectors will intervene beyond standard working hours, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
The Minister of Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, stated during the Cabinet meeting that alerts regarding pollution, illegal deforestation, and unauthorized waste disposal will be managed via a dedicated digital platform. This 24/7 system is designed to track every reported case until a final legal resolution is reached.
Operational shift and digital oversight
The new center aims to eliminate previous enforcement gaps that occurred after business hours. Intervention teams will operate nationwide with a maximum response time of 24 hours. A digital tracking system will record response times and the specific sanctions applied to violators.
"We are intervening before environmental damage becomes irreversible," Minister Hajder noted. He emphasized that the state is now equipped with the necessary tools to protect forests, water, and soil regardless of the time of day.
Institutional restructuring and unified monitoring
In a parallel move, the Government has transformed the State Hydrometeorological Service into a specialized public authority for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring. This restructuring integrates air, water, and soil quality analysis into a single accredited laboratory.
Furthermore, the Environmental Agency will absorb the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources. This merger creates a "one-stop shop" for citizens and businesses, streamlining the application process for environmental permits through a new automated electronic portal.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
